The top-10 grid position gives the German driver a chance to earn some points for the team as he has managed to score only twice this season.
He could not even finish his race in the previous leg in Canada.
Di Resta qualified for the 12th position with a timing of 1:39.422 in Q2 while he clocked 1:39.852 in Q1.
India's Hispania driver Narain Karthikeyan (1:44.363) will start the race from the rear.
Defending drivers' champion Sebastian Vettel (1:36.975) yet again secured the pole position and was followed by Red Bull teammate Mark Webber (1:37.163) and MacLaren's Lewis Hamilton (1:37.380).